A $200 cable tv bill is coming your way

By 2020, cable and satellite television services could cost as much as $200 per month, a report by NPD predicted.

Last year, consumers paid an average of $86 per month for a basic and premium television subscription. With television licensing fees continuing to rise, television bills are on pace to increase 6 percent each year to $123 by 2015 and $200 by 2020.

But is that sustainable? Already 5 million fewer homes than before pay for television service, opting for free over-the-air television, free online videos and paid, but cheaper services such as Netlix’s streaming package. Most television viewers want an easy, one-stop shop for their entertainment, said Russ Crupnick, senior vice president of industry analysis for The NPD Group, but whether they’re willing to foot such a large bill is another question.